India has been historically referred to as Bharat by its inhabitants since several millennia. Even in the constitution, it has been referred to as “India, that is Bharat” in the first article.
In this article we will see the reactions that came from different political parties, ordinary citizens and eminent intellectuals, to the mention of Bharat in G20 communications.
Government Clarifications on Bharat Renaming
Meanwhile the Indian Government clarified that the talk of India’s name change to Bharat in the upcoming parliament session from 18-23 September 2023 was not in its agenda.
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Union Minister Anurag Thakur
Responding to comments by the press, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister, Anurag Thakur said that there should be no objection to the mention of Bharat in G20 letters. He added that he was himself a minister of “Bharat Sarkar” (Indian Govt.). Also, he mentioned several TV channels using the term to denote India.
Here is a clip reported by ANI.
RSS Chief Dr. Mohan Bhagwat
The RSS chief asked people to use the name Bharat instead of India. He had earlier also pitched for the usage of the term.
“Our country has been known as ‘Bharat’ for ages. Whatever may be the language, the name remains the same. We don’t have to think about whether anyone outside will understand this or not. If they want to, they will, but that is not our problem.”
Mohan Bhagwat, Sarsanghchalak, RSS
RSS is an organization that is very close to the BJP often campaigning in the latter’s name. The organization also works in cases of natural disaster on a volunteer basis.
Also Read: What is Akhand Bharat? History, Maps, Constituents, and News
Former Lok Sabha Secy. General P.D.T. Achary
P.D.T. Achary was the former secretary general of the 14th and 15th Lok Sabha.
He said that the term Bharat, mentioned in the constitution is only descriptive. The change to the name of Republic of India will require several constitutional amendments.
After that, it has to sent to international bodies like United Nations and to Indian embassies in other countries.
However, he also stated that the basis of his statement was around the fact that there would be only one name for a country. This is not true when several countries are referred to with several names including China, which is also called Zhongguo.
Congress Leader Mani Shankar Iyer
Former diplomat and congress leader Mani Shankar Iyer said that BJP was scared by the I.N.D.I.A. alliance implying that was the reason to change name to Bharat. I.N.D.I.A. is a political alliance in which his party, Indian National Congress, is a member.
Assam CM Hemanta Biswa Sarma
Assam’s Chief Minister and outspoken politicial, Hemanta Biswa Sarma stated that the opposition was conspiring to erase Hinduism and now the issue was erasing Bharat itself.
He advised opposition leaders to ask Rahul Gandhi, why he named his travel throughout the country as “Bharat Jodo Yatra” and not India Jodo Yatra.
